A survey of the composition of 4,933 exhibits submitted for laboratory analysis by the Drug Squad of the Irish police during the years 1968-1978 indicated an increase in the level of non-medical drug consumption in the Republic of Ireland. Cannabis was the most widely encountered drug. Barbiturates constituted a considerable proportion. Amphetamines were rarely found; this was attributed to the unique legislation controlling the storage and sale of amphetamines. Various substances were sold as drugs of abuse. For example, Datura was sold as cannabis which caused a considerable concern because of its toxicity.

The recognition of a drug-related problem of some significance in Ireland during 1968 led to the formation of a drug squad in the Irish police. Since that time a total of 4,933 exhibits arising from arrests and drug seizures have been submitted for laboratory analyses. These exhibits ranged from "normal" pharmaceutical formulations (tablets, ampoules, etc.) to unknown powders and a large number of more unusual items (table 1). The drugs were identified using an appropriate combination of microscopic, chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques
[
(1)] ,
[
(2)] .

The composition of the samples submitted is shown in percentages for each year in table 2. There was a steady increase in the number of exhibits each year. The number may appear small by comparison with other countries
[
(3)] ,
[
(4)] ,
[
(5)] but it must be borne in mind that the population of the Republic of Ireland is approximately 3.5 million. The increase may be partly due to an increase in illicit drug use and to an increase in the strength and experience of the Drug Squad which had 4 members in 1968 rising to 15 members at the present time.

The most widely encountered drug was cannabis. Various forms of cannabis were found. In 1978, 43 per cent of the cannabis seized was resin; 36 per cent of the exhibits consisted of cigarette ends, pipes and weighing scales. Cannabis herb constituted 21 per cent of the cannabis exhibits. In recent years a significant proportion (37 per cent) of this herb has been of Irish origin and has contained active tetrahydrocannabinol.

TABLE 1 - Unusual items submitted for analyses

Exhibit

Analytical findings

Currency notes

Traces of cannabis

Books

Cannabis resin

Felt tip pens

Cannabis resin

Cables

Traces of cannabis

Soft toys

Cannabis resin

Weighing scales

Traces of cannabis

Syringes

Various drugs

Spoons

Various drugs

Bottle top

Dipipanone tablets in solution

Postage stamps

LSD

Record covers

Cocaine

TABLE 2 Composition of the samles of the dangerous drugs seized from 1968 - 1978 in the Republic of Ireland (In percentages)

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

Cannabis

21

8

46

57

47

67

55

61

61

60

67

Cocaine

3

3

1*

-

1*

1*

1*

3

1*

1*

1

Heroin

-

4

1 *

2

6

1*

1*

1*

1*

1*

1*

Morphine

3

39

5

1

7

1

4

4

3

4

2

Opium

-

1*

-

1*

1*

1*

1*

1

1

-

1*

Dextro-moramide

-

-

1

1*

2

1*

3

2

1*

2

1

Dipipanone .

-

-

2

5

1 *

1*

1*

2

1*

2

2

Methadone .

-

1

4

1*

2

1*

3

1

1*

2

1

Pethidine

23

13

4

1*

2

1*

3

1

1*

2

1

Amphe-tamines

-

-

1

1

1*

1*

1*

-

1*

1*

1*

Barbiturates

1

1*

1

1*

6

8

10

5

7

3

LSD .

-

1*

6

8

4

5

3

2

1

1*

1*

Metha-qualone

-

-

-

1*

1

2

1

1*

2

1

1*

Methyl-phenidate

-

-

-

-

-

-

1*

1*

"Negative" results

27

29

18

24

20

15

15

14

19

22

19

No. of exhibits

52

142

187

310

580

464

684

638

495

657

784

Less than 1 per cent.

Other drugs appear to present less of a problem. Fortunately heroin has been rarely encountered. Amphetamine type drugs constituted a very minor part of the drug scene in Ireland. This is in contrast to Sweden where Stromberg and Other drugs appear to present less of a problem. Fortunately heroin has been rarely encountered. Amphetamine type drugs constituted a very minor part of the drug scene in Ireland. This is in contrast to Sweden where Stromberg and Maehly reported (4) that in a two - month period 65 per cent of the exhibits submitted for analysis contained an amphetamine type drug. The situation in Ireland is unusual in view of the reports on amphetamine dependence
[
(6)] . The improvement is due to the unique legislation dealing with the sale of amphetamines in Ireland
[
(7)] . These drugs may only be obtained by means of a special licence through a central Health Board Pharmacy and not through other pharmacies. This legislation has undoubtedly reduced the incidence of amphetamine abuse which is in contrast to the situation with barbiturates. The abuse of these parenterally or orally in combination with alcohol constitutes a significant problem
[
(8)] . The supply of barbiturates is obtained through thefts from pharmacies and through the use of forged prescriptions. The application of amphetamine type controls to these drugs could reduce the incidence of abuse and the associated risk of fatalities.

As other laboratories dealing with drugs of abuse, this laboratory received a large number of exhibits each of them containing either a non-controlled drug, or a harmless substance, or a drug of abuse, The level of "negative" results in this laboratory was roughly comparable with those reported elsewhere
[
(3)] . An analysis of the types of substances in these "negative" exhibits can often be informative as to possible trends. For example, an increasing number of benzodiazepine derivatives (fluorazepam, diazepam) are being submitted. This may indicate abuse potential or misidentification by the police. There is also the possibility that these are medicines legally prescribed for the persons possessing them.

Many of the materials which were sold as drugs of abuse were harmless (table 3); for example, water for injection sold as morphine, and parsley sold as cannabis. Others, however, were extremely dangerous. The use of Datura preparations as a substitute for cannabis is growing and has resulted in numerous reports in the literature describing the treatment of atropine poisoning and the hallucinations which follow the consumption of these preparations
[
(9)] . A more serious problem concerns a recent case where a sample of powder was purchased as methylamphetamine while on analysis this was found to be heroin. This has been an isolated occurrence so far.

TABLE 3 - Materials which have been sold as drugs of abuse

Substance submitted as

Substance identified as

Cannabis

Parsley

Cannabis

Henna
(Lawsonia alba)

Cannabis

Coffee

Cannabis

Datura stramoniurn

Cannabis

Meat extract

Hash oil

Oil of patchouli

Amphetamine tablets

Starch tablets

Amphetamine

Sodium Cromoglycate (Intal)

Methylamphetamine

Pseudoephedrine

Methylamphetamine

Diacetylmorphine

Mescaline

Methylamphetamine

Cocaine

Benzocaine

Cocaine

Lignocaine

LSD

Saccharin tablets

LSD

Lentils

Morphine ampoules

Water for injection

Peyote

Ginger
(Zingiber spp)

In the years 1968-1978 Ireland has seen a dramatic increase in the nonmedical use of drugs as have many other countries. However, Ireland has been relatively fortunate in that the more dangerous drugs of abuse are not as widely used as in some other countries. An enlightened policy of education and legislation should assist in controlling the situation.